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APOSTOLIC INFORMATION SERVICE VOL. 28 NO. 8 Youth Ministry Copyright Apostolic Information Service, a ministry of Indi...

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APOSTOLIC INFORMATION SERVICE

VOL. 28 NO. 8

Youth Ministry Copyright Apostolic Information Service, a ministry of Indiana Bible College, PO Box 47917 Indianapolis, IN 1-800-800-0247 T. W. Massengale, Editor

Four Ways to Revamp Your Youth Ministry  Rediscover Your Focus. Begin by working on the youth ministry's focus rather than youth ministry events. Many youth ministers, especially those new to youth ministry, begin by looking at the old youth ministry calendar, getting some ideas from some friends in other churches and then start to fill up the youth calendar with events. But event planning isn't a good starting place. Back up one more step: Think through first what you need to do to help your students grow into healthy followers of Jesus.  Meet with Everyone Involved. Sit down with your pastor and talk about the youth ministry. He has a vision of what a healthy youth ministry looks like, and your goal is to follow in that vision, while implementing your own ideas and inspirations to make that happen. Have the humility and foresight to see that his years of experience may have taught him something about ministry in the local church. Also meet with your parents, youth workers and church staff to get a feel for the key issues your youth ministry will need to address, as much as you possibly can.  Brainstorm What Needs Accomplished. As you're meeting with all those who have a significant interest in the ministry, brainstorm around three areas every youth ministry will need to focus on: what they need to know (doctrine), who they need to be (morals/values), and what they need to do (spiritual disciplines). As you discover these and cross-check them with your pastor, type them in a readable list and keep them visible in your office year-round, to give yourself a sense of purpose and direction.  Follow-Up for Next Year. As the year progresses, take notes on everything that happens—on responses to services and lessons, on how events are coordinated and executed, how outreach is implemented as well as its effectiveness, etc. Seek the evaluation of your youth in these areas as well. At the end of the ministerial year, strategize changes that may need to be made.

Youth Ministry Calendar: - February: This is a good month for a youth lock-in.

Invite several area churches to participate. You can research countless games and activities to conduct on the Internet. Have some young people prepare a skit and supervise their preparation. Create a sign-up sheet for young people to bring food and drinks.

Incorporate the Youth Group. This is often overlooked in youth ministry. Students need to realize that they are part of something bigger than themselves. If you don’t incorporate them into the total church body while they are still teenagers, why should they stay in the church when they can no longer attend the youth group? Treat them like they are the church of today— not just the church of tomorrow. This is a powerful aspect of youth ministry that must be recognized in order to have intergenerational worship and involvement in the church. The truth is that the youth want to feel incorporated into the entire church body, so the more that you make this happen, the better.

Resource Files for You YMMA89.txt “Starting Out on the Right Foot in Youth Ministry” Right beginnings are the best. YMMA71.txt “A Blueprint for Youth Ministry” Managing with the right mindset.

IBC Perspectives Magazine If you are in ministry leadership, be sure not to miss out on an excellent publication written just for church leaders. The IBC Perspectives magazine is a 20-page color publication published monthly by Indiana Bible College. It features interviews with growing revival churches and explores the methods and programs that make them successful. It also features articles devoted to: Feature Ministry Opinions, Plainly Speaking, Ministry Columnists, World News, Apostolic News, News You Can Use, Guest Pulpit and more. To receive a free copy and subscription form, call 1800- 800-0247 or write Perspectives, P.O. Box 47917, Indianapolis, IN 46247, or e-mail: [email protected] or visit our web page at www.apostolic.edu. Subscription cost is just $20 per year for 12 issues.